Ole Miss’ seniors went out with a bang, hammering LSU 38-17 in their final game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday. The seniors, some suffering a 2-10 season in 2011, were the foundation in changing the perception of Ole Miss football nationally.
“They’ve put so much into changing this program. Some of which have experienced some tough times,” Freeze said. “Even in our tenure, they have experienced some of the more gut wrenching disappointments that I think you could do as a team.”
Freeze fought back his emotions as the seniors ran onto the field before Saturday’s contest. Eventually, those emotions won.
“I got emotional tonight. I can’t remember which one got me emotional, but one of them got me tearing up,” Freeze said.
It was CJ Johnson. As he met Freeze for an embrace, before running to his family, the fourth year head coach wiped tears from his eyes.
“I started thinking about just the blessings that I get to enjoy with my wonderful wife, and daughters, and friends,” Freeze said. “Without those kids, it’s absolutely impossible.”
This 2015 class came into a program that had gone 2-10 the previous season, and had seemingly hit rock bottom. This class has won 31 games together. They have been bowl eligible four consecutive years, the first time since the 2000 senior class. They helped Ole Miss notch its first win against a number one ranked team. Ole Miss was ranked for 27 consecutive weeks– the longest streak for Ole Miss since 1957.
“Those guys have a choice to make, just like all of us. When those disappointments happen, how do you respond? and how do you react?” Freeze said. “Those guys have continuously bounced back, disappointment after disappointment, and I just couldn’t be prouder.”
